Pressing machine



Feb. 7, 1933. A B. w. BRocKETT 1,896,217 Y PRES'SING MACHINE Filed Feb.9, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l zw 4 lussggjl'f A n Z mvENToR p afo/P Mpoc/rfri6 BY i 1 E i? f. fr?

` ATTORNEYS Feb- 7, .1933. B. w. BRocKETT 1,896,217 t PRESSING MACHINESheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 9, 1931 INVENTOR Buffa/P0 IME/P00057? y Q;ATTORNEYS a power operation.

(Patented 7, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BLUFOBD W. BROCKETT, 0FCLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OHIG, ASBIGNOR TO THE AMERICAN LAUNDRY MACHINERYCOMPANY, 0F CINCINNATI, OHIO, A CORPORATION ,0F

OHIO

f PRESSINQ MACHINE Application filed February 9, 1831. Serial No.514,327.

in such manner as to be separable into different classes, one classbeing a hand closed press with after-power type where the operatorcloses the press by hand and then either automatically or optionallyproduces may b e termed the automatic type where the operator, through asuitable control means, initiates the closin operation after which themachine goes t rough. to final pressure 5 and stops with the articleunder pressure.

With the first class, the operation is such that it is not practical forone operator to operate several machines due to the length of time hemust spend at each individual- 2 machine.

The second class has the advantage in speed over the first class but ismore or less dangerous to the operator for the reason that the operatorhas no control over the operation of the machine after a given point inthe closing operation. This is particularly true as regards danger to anoperators hands. l

It is the object of this invention to provide a pressing machine whereinthe machine closes through a gravity action, the movement of any partunder the action of gravity being controlled by suitableoperator-operated control mechanism which may -be of the two-hand type,and operator controlled means for bringing about a f inal pressurebetween the pressing members, the control means being such that thearticle may remain under pressure without necessitating the presence ofthe operator. Thus, a press.

ing machine is provided wherein the danger of injury to an operatol' dueto the initial closing movement of the pressing members beingaccomplished by power means is eliminated.

drawings wherein similar characters of ref- Another class is what erencedesignate corresponding parts, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view showing the left-hand side of a pressingmachine constructed in accordance with my invention and with thepressing members 1n separated relation; Fig. 2 is a view, partly insection, showing the two-hand control means for causing initialengagement of the pressing members; Fi 3 is a view similar to Fig..1 butshowing t e pressing members in engagement and other .parts in operatedposition; Fi 4 is a view of the control means for con-` tro ling theapplication of final ressure between the pressin members; an Fig. 5 is aectional view ta (en on the line 5-5` of eferring to the drawings7particularly Figs. 1 and 3 thereof, the type of press shown comprises aframe 1 having an upwardly extending portion 2 on which a head' lever orpressure arm 3 is pivotally mounted as at 4. A# pedestal 5 on the frame1 supports a lower pressin member or buck 6 covered by the usual pad ingand the head lever or pressure arm 3 carries an upper pressing member orhead 7 to which heat may be supplied by any well known means.

In accordance with my invention, the press is so constructed thatinitial closing of the press or engagement of the pressing members 6 and7 is brought about by a avity action with means providedrfor shiftmg thecenter of gravity of the head lever 3 from :one side of the pivot 4; tothe other and means for controlling such shifting ofthe center ofgravity that takes the form of two-hand control mean-s embodyingmechanism so larranged that the use of both of the operators hands isrequired to shift the center of gravity to the right side of the pivot 4as shown in Figs. 1 and 3 whereby the head 7 willcounter-balanced by theend of the head n lever on the other side of the pivot 4 that the 'leverwould either remain in substantially balanced position 0r in theposition shown in Fig. 1 unless some agency is employed to shift thecenter of gravity one way or the other.

The means for shifting the center of gravity of the head lever 3 takesthe form of an i energy storing device such as a movable weightcomprising a pair of weights 8 and 9 mounted on arms 10 and 11 andforming a part of a hub 12 loosely pivoted upon the pivot 4 of the headlever 3. These weights 0 are adapted to be swungxliy the -suitable stops13 and 14, the former mg in front of the pivot 4 and the latter being tothe rear of the pivot and both being carried by the head lever 3. The hub 12 is provided with an arm or lever l5 having a pin and slotconnection with the upper end of an arm 16 that forms a part of a piston17 in a cylinder 18. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, a sprin 2O is disposedbetween the upper surface o the piston 17 and the upper end of thecylinder 18 to normally maintain the piston 17 in its lowermost positionas shown in Fig. 1 with the arm 10 against the stop 14, the weights 8and 9' to the left of the pivot 4, and the head lever and associatedparts in the position shown in Fig. 1l or, in other words, in separatedrelation with the pressing bed 6 or open position.

In accordance with my invention, the movement of the piston 17 andresultant movement of the weights 8 and 9 to shift the center of gravityof the. head lever 3, which brings about closing and opening of thepressing members, is under the control of a two-hand control mechanismwhich necessitates the use of both of the operators hands to bring aboutinitial engagement of the pressing members. This control mechanism, asshown in Fig. 2, takes the form of two valve structures 21 and 22adapted to be moved by suitable mechanism embodying handles 23 and 24and being so interconnected that the operation of one of the valvesalone will not permit fluid pressure to be admitted to the under surfaceof the piston 17 to move the piston upwardl and shift the weights 8 and9 from one si e of the head lever tothe other. As shown in Figs. 1 and3,'

.the valve structure 22 that is normally locat ed on the right-hand sideof the machine is the main control valve for admitting fluid pressure tothe cyclinder 18. For instance, when the valve 25 is moved away from itsseat by operation of the handle 24, fluid pressure flows from a sourceof supply through the pipe 26, past the valve 215 and through the pipe.27 tothe valve structure 21 which is a double valve structure embodyingtwo valves 28 and 29. Operation of the handle 23 will move the valve 28away from its seat and the valve 29 to a position to close the port 30whereby the fluid pressure from the p1 e 27 will flow past the valve 28and throug the pipes 31 and 32 to the under side of the piston 05 17 andsuch piston will be moved upwardly against the resistance of the sprin20. Suitable spring means are provided or returning the handles 23 and24 and.v valves 25, 28 and 29 to their normal position shown in Fig. 2wherein fluid pressure from the supply pipe 26 will be shut off, and theport 30 opened which will permit. the fluid pressure beneath the surfaceof the piston 17 to exhaust through the pipe 32, pipe 33, port 30, andexhaust pipe 34 to the atmosphere. Exhaust of fluid pressure frombeneath the under surface of the piston 17 will permit the iston to bemoved downwardly by the action of the spring 20 and the weights 8 and 9move to the position showii in Fig. l with the arm l0 against the stop14 which will cause the head 7 to be moved to open position. With thisconstruction, it will be seen that both handles 23 and 24 must beoperated simulf taneously to cause initial engagement of the:i815

pressing members whereby both of the operators hands will be in use.

1 Any suitable power mechanism for causing final pressure between thepressing members 6 and 7 may be used provided it can operate of thespring by fluid pressure through aline 38 and under control of a valve39 that will be hereinafter described. The piston rod 40 is connected tothe long arm of a lever 41 pivoted to the frame-as at 42 and having alever-arm ratio that is relatively high, for instance, ten to one. Apush rod 43 that, under normal conditions, slides through an openingprovided therefor in the rearward end of the head lever 3 is connectedto the short arm of the lever 41 as at 44.

In order to make an operative connection between the rearward end of thehead lever 3 and the uppermost end of the push rod 43 so vthat finalpressure between the pressing members 6 and 7 may be brought about byoperation of the power unit 35, the upper extremity of the push rod 43carries a head 45 that, under certain conditions, bears against theunder surface of a yoke shaped cap 46 pivotally mounted as at 47 on thehead lever 3 andadapted to be moved from the inoperative position showninFig. 1 to the operative position shown in F ig. 3 wherein the undersurface of the -yoke shaped cap will bear against the upper surface ofthe head 45 by means of a power unit embodying a piston and cylinderconstruction 48. The cylinder and piston construction 48 includes,besides a cylinder, a piston 49 adapted to be vll y moved in onedirection by a s ring 5() and in the opposite direction by fiui pressurefrom a line 51 and under the control of the valve 39 that controls theflow of fiuid pressure to the power unit35. As shown, the piston rod 52that forms a part of the piston 49 is connected to the portion of theyoke shaped cap 46 below the pivot 47 in such manner that movement ofthe piston against the resistance of the spring 50 by means of fluidpressure will swing the yoke shaped cap to the operative position shownin Fie. 3 wherein operation ofthe power unit 35 will cause finalpressure to be exerted between the pressing members 6 and 7 and themovement of the pistou 49 in the opposite direction will move the yokeshaped cap to the inoperative position shown in Fig. 1 wherein the pushrod 43 is free to slide through the opening provided therefor in thehead lever` 3 so that the pressing members may be brought into separatedrelation by gravity.

As hereinbefore stated, the operation of both the power unit 35,embodying the short stroke piston and the piston 49 in the piston andcylinder construction 48, is controlled by the valve mechanism 39 whichis operable by means of a treadle 53, a rack 54 and a pinion held inmesh therewith by a spring 55. The pinion 55 is loosely mounted on thevalve closure operating shaft 56, being held thereon against outwardendwise movement by a washer and pin or the likef57, and rigidlconnected to a cam gear 57 adapted to mes 1 with acam gear 58 rigidlymounted on the valve closure operating shaft 56, the cam gears beingresiliently held in mesh by a spring 56 that moves the shaft 56longitudinally whereby rotation of the pinion 55 in one direction bydownward movement of the rack 54 will cause the valve closure operatingshaft 56 to be rotated-while rotation ofthe pinion in the oppositedirection by upward movement of the treadle and rack which normallytakes place through the action of a suitable spring means 53 will notoperatively mesh the cam gears to rotate the closure operating shaftwhereby the closure will remain stationary.

Referring to Fig. 5, a valve proper embodies a casing 59 having an inletpipe 60 connected thereto and leading from a source of fluid pressuresupply and an exhaust pipe 61 leading therefrom. A conduit 62 also leadsfrom the valve casing 59, and the fluid pressure pipes 38 leading to thepower unit 35 and the fluid pressure pipe 51 leading to the c linder andpiston construction 48 branch t erefrom (see Fig. 4). The casing 59 alsocontains a rotating valve closure 63 that is normally held against itsseat by a spring 64 and embodies a single port 65 which, on each halfrvele of movement of the valve closure due to rotation of the closureoperating shaft in the manner hereiubefore described, will bring the.

port into successive registration with the inlet pipe and the exhaustpipe 6l whereby fluid pressure will either be. supplied to or exhaustedfrom the pipe 62, the power unit 35 and the cylinder and pistonconstruction 48 through pipes 38, 51, and 62 respectively. Thus, a meansvis provided for operating the power unit'and the 'piston in thecyllnder and piston construction 48 substantially simultaneously throughthe same control means. The valve closure 63 is so connected to theshaft 56 as to permit endwise movement of the shaft 56 hereinbeforedescribed without breaking the connection between the valve closure andthe shaft.

In the operation of this device, assuming that the garment or otherwork'has been given the proper lay on the pressing bed 6v both handles23 and 24 are operated slmultaneously to operate the valves 25, 28 and29 as hereinbefore described whereby'fiuid pressure will be admitted tothe cylinder 18'beneath the piston 17'to move the piston upwardlyagainst the resistance of the spring 20. Such upward movement ofthepiston will throw the weights 8 and 9 from the position shown in Fig. 1wherein the arm 10 is against the stop 14 and the center of gravity ofthe head lever is to the left of the pivot 4 to the position shown inFig. 3 wherein the arm 11 bears against the stop 13 and the center ofravity is to the right of the pivot 4. This s ifting of the center ofgravity of the head lever 3 will cause the pressing head 7 to movedownwardly into engagement with the pressing bed 6 under gravity force.

Then, the treadle 53 is moved downwardly which will move the valveclosure from the position shown in Fig. 5 wherein the pipe 62 isconnected to the exhaust pipe 61 to a position such that the fluidpressure inlet pipe 60 will be connected with the pipe 62 through theport and valve casing 59, access to the exhaust pipe 61 being closed offby a valve closure 63. Fluid pressure flowing through the pipe 62 andbranch pipes 38 and 51 w1 l, after the pressure in the cylinders 35 and48 becomes equalized in proportion to the size of the cylinders, causesubstantially simultaneous movement of the piston 49 against theresistance of the spring 50 to swing the yoke shaped cap to the positionshown inF ig. 3 as hereinbefore described wherein operative connectionwill be made between the push rod 43 and the head lever 3 and the piston36 of the power unit will be moved downwardly against the resistance ofthe spring 37 to bring about a final pressure between the pressingmembers 6 and 7. It will be understood that immediately upon the meansfor bringing about the nal pressure becoming edective, the operator mayrelease the handles 23 and 24 whereby the valves 25, 28 and 29 willassume the positions shown in Fig. 2 fluid pressure beneath the piston,17 will exhaust, the piston will be moved downwardly by the action ofthe spring 20, and the center of gravity of the head lever 3 will beshifted to the left of the pivot 4 of the head lever by reason of theweights 8 and 9 being moved to the left of the pivot 4 ofthe head leverwhich is the position shown in Fig` 1. Then, upon operation of the valvestructure 3 5 to bring the valve closure to the position shown in Fig,wherein the pipe 62 has connection with the exhaust pipe 61 and thefluid pressure inlet is closed orf, the pressing members will assumeseparated relation due to the parts of the apparatus being returned totheir normal unoperated position, the head lever b gravity, and theremainder of the parts of t e apparatus through the expansion of thesprings 50 and 37 to bring the pistons 49 and 36 'to their normalunoperated position.

With scribed, a pressing machine is provided wherein both of theoperators hands areq of necessity employed on the control means beforethe pressing members may be brou ht into initial engagement and must befurt er employed with such control means until the beginning of thefinal pressure movement between the pressing members. Itwill be apparentthat the control means is such that release of one of the control meansby one hand of theoper'ator will result in stopping of the downwardmovement of the pressing head towards the pressing bed and the return ofthe pressing head to its normal unoperated position. Thus, a safetymeans is provided that eliminates the possibility of an operators handor hands being injured between the pressing members.

Another feature of the construction resides in the fact that thepressing machine is so constructed that the only power means necessaryfor bringing about pressing or lroning pressure between the pressingmembers is a short stroke motor or piston and in the fact that means areprovided for permitting a relatively great pressure to be obtainedbetween the pressing members with relatively small power from the powerunit. This primarily -results from the connection between the push rodand the head lever, the ratio of the arms of the lever connectionbetween the push rod and power unit, and the type of power unit.`

Still another feature resides in the fact that the control mechanism issuch that the pressing members will remain in pressing engagementwithout necessitating the presence of an operator at the controls.Various other features will be readily apparent.

What I claim is:

l. A pressing machine comprising a 'sta-V the construction hereinbeforedea capable of energization independently of head movementto beeffective on the head forclosingi the press, power means for energizlngsai motor means,a two hand control means for controlling the operationof said power means, power means normally out of operative engagementwith said head for eecti'ng pressing pressure between said head and bed,means for making an operative connection between said head and saidpower means after said head is moved to closed position, motor means forrendering said last named means effective, and a single control means orcausing actuation of said last named rmotor means and said power meansfor effecting pressing pressure between said head and bed. y

2. A pressing machine comprising a stationary work support, a head andhead lever structure counter-balanced to be free of any normal tendencyto move to closed or open position, motor means including a weightcapable of energization independently of head movement to be effectiveon the head for closin the press, power means for energizing sai motormeans, a two hand control means for controlling the operation of saidpower means, power means normally out of operative engagement with saidhead for effecting pressing pressure between said head and bed, meansincluding a pivoted cap for making an operative connection between saidhead and said power means after said head is moved to closed position,motor means for rendering said last named means eective,

. and a sin le control means for causing actuation of sald last namedmotor means and said power means for effecting pressing pressure betweensaid head and bed.

In testimony4 whereof I hereby aiiix my signature.

BLUFORD W. BRGCKETT.

